Work as a Democratic Party activist spurs an interest in law for UP native

By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News

The law fascinates Kadin Fox for a number of reasons—primarily because he is interested in the fairness it is supposed to afford ordinary people. 

“That concept of fairness is always a work in progress, and I can’t wait to be a part of the discussion surrounding it,” says Fox, who launched his 1L year at Detroit Mercy Law in August.

“I guess I’m interested in the ‘little guy,’ so to speak. I’d love to advise and represent unions, immigrants or criminal offenders with my juris doctor. Fairness is still more important to me than money—a few months into my 1L experience.” 

Fox, who is looking into student organizations that reflect his broad career goals, including the Immigration Law Association and Criminal Law Society, is enjoying getting to know his classmates. 

“A lot of us are first -generation so we often share a lot of the same general questions about this career path,” he says. “We also share a lot of the same interests and humor.”

Fox started his academic career with a bachelor’s degree in history from Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

“I was drawn to the study of history for a number of reasons, but if I were to pick one, I’d have to credit my uncle who just retired from teaching the subject at Saline High School—he always gave me cool books to read as a kid and still has something new—or old, I guess—to share with me whenever I see him,” he says.

Fox worked as a Field Organizer for the Michigan Democratic Party in 2022 and 2024, and spent a year as an intern with the Callie Barr for Congress campaign, conducting donor research and gathering petitions for Barr’s 2024 run for the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Working for the (Democratic) Party was awesome, as I really got to know my little community in the Upper Peninsula better than I ever had before,” he says. “The attorneys I met as a result were really encouraging and insightful. I wouldn’t have figured out applying to law school if it wasn’t for my work as a community organizer with the Democratic Party.”

The work also provided ample opportunities to experience Detroit, as the Democratic Party helped finance trips from Marquette to the Motor City for trainings and conventions. 

“That’s how I first learned there was a law school right downtown,” Fox says. “We also endorsed UDM alum Justice Harris-Bolden for both of her State Supreme Court runs in 2022 and 2024. She came up to the UP a lot during those campaigns, and her knowledge of the law made me certain that UDM was a reputable and worthwhile school.” 

Part of Fox’s job with the Democratic Party was recruiting volunteers.

“So, I always try to pay that back when I get the chance,” he says. “When I wasn’t getting paid in the off-season, I always attended the local party meetings in Marquette and volunteered for whatever I could—I handed out handwarmers at ski races, I spread the party messaging at our county fair booth, and knocked on doors to drum up support for the local nurse’s union ahead of a potential strike. 

“I haven’t volunteered down here outside of what UDM has had us do, but with their guidance I have come up with a couple of ideas as to where I might do so,” he added.

Fox hails from Negaunee, a mining community in the central region of the Upper Peninsula, about a 15-minute drive from Marquette. 

“Negaunee would be considered pretty small by most standards, but up in the UP it’s a pretty happening place with a population of roughly 5,000 yearlong residents,” he says. “Now I live within walking distance of my school in downtown Detroit and just can’t get enough of this amazing city, there’s so much going on. Hopefully over Christmas break I’ll have enough energy to explore this place more. I’m not worried it’ll be too cold for me to enjoy myself. Unless I brought the UP’s wind chill along with me it’ll be the warmest winter I’ve ever experienced.” 

Fox’s parents are high school teachers in the mining town of Ishpeming, next to Negaunee in Marquette County. 

“I’m really fortunate to have been raised by educators, they’re the reason I can’t fathom a career I don’t take home with me,” Fox says. “My little sister is a surveyor for a company called Trimedia. She’s a lot of fun and we’ve always been close, but she’s a lot more adventurous than me. My older sister lives in a borough of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where she’s a running a pretty solid campaign for an open borough council seat—as a Democrat of course.” 

Outside of work and studies, Fox is an avid fisherman.

“There’s nothing I enjoy more than an extended fight with a northern pike or finally catching a brook trout after a long afternoon of navigating a rocky UP river,” he says. “I’m really excited to fish in the Detroit River once I have the chance. I had to ask my parents to bring my fishing gear down last time they visited, because previously I’d been under the impression there was nowhere good to fish down here. After a couple of walks through Rivertown, I’ve observed otherwise, and I can’t wait to do what I ‘ve always done with a little free time and take a walk down to the water to clear my mind for a few hours once I have the opportunity.” 


Kadin Fox, who previously worked as a Field Organizer with the Michigan Democratic Party, is pictured with Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein.

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